Southern California -- this just in

Great white shark dies after release from Monterey Bay Aquarium

A young great white shark caught off the coast of Marina del Rey and then exhibited at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has died after his release from captivity.

The shark was caught Aug. 18 and transferred to a holding pen off Malibu before being taken to Monterey.

He was released Oct. 25 about two miles offshore of the Goleta Pier north of Santa Barbara.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium announced the shark's death on its website Thursday.

"Based on the shark's behavior and overall condition prior to release, our white shark team had every confidence that he would do well back in the wild -- as was the case with five other young great whites released from the aquarium," the aquarium wrote in a blog post announcing the death.

"Unfortunately, according to data from the tracking tag he carried, the shark died shortly after he was released."

The five other sharks that were successfully released had been returned to the wild after spending periods of time between 11 days and 6-1/2 months at the aquarium.

The aquarium launched the shark exhibits as part of an initiative to research the animals and promote public awareness about conservation issues.